Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I am thinking about going on vacation solo the week between Christmas and New Years, and I was wondering if anyone out there has taken a solo vacation....where did you go? What did you do?

I probably won't do it cuz it's so out of character for me....but I am trying to try some "new things"....and waiting around for the people in my life to ever have the time or the money to vacation is starting to get on my nerves.

So if I get some good suggestions I might try. :aaa

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I did once...I had a business trip to AZ and since I didnt see any chance of going back to that area in my lifetime, I took a few days off and went to Flagstaff, Sedona, took a train to the grand canyon..etc.

And I havent had a chance to go back so I'm glad I did.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I've never taken what would qualify as a real vacation alone, but I do quite often take a night or two alone and slip off to a state park as a getaway by myself. It does wonders!! Planning to get away next month for a few days.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I am thinking of something more "vacation-y".....like the Cayman Islands. I grew up in MI and I have always wanted to be on a beach during the Christmas season.

What did you do when you visited the places around AZ...alone?

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

the same things I'd have done with someone I guess...just much more peaceful. I didnt have to answer to anyone, accomodate anyone or anything.

I went sight seeing, shopping, took the guided bus tour of the Grand canyon, stayed in the hotel where they have that train..it's part of the "experience"...

I had a good time, very relaxing and I did what I wanted, when I wanted LOL

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I never really go anywhere alone...hence why I never really go anywhere! :crazy

I think I am scared of spending the money for the vacation, and then I get there and I am bored out of my mind...which I could do for free in Houston on my couch!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

well, just plan ahead. know what there is to do and make reservations ahead of time to do it....

dont go and waste your money hanging in your hotel room.

If you want to go and hang out on the beach all the time, go for it. You cant do that from your couch in Houston LOL

and if you enjoy yourself, Its not a waste of time! or money

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

Yeah, I know. I am just trying to make the logic that I know is rational make sense to me.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

why?

if you want to go, go LOL

thats rational enough...or not.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I have never done that but would do it if I had the opportunity and money!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I am trying to "Redeem the time" now that I have it. I dont want to look back on my life if I live to "grow up" and see a bunch of time and opportunity wasted.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

That has become my mantra recently. You live once and there are many things that i don't want to look back and say that I wish I had done or I wish I had tried. I would be careful about international travel alone. The global climate is kind of touchy right now especially in some traditional tourist areas. I try to find things to do close by even when I'm unable to really get away. I recently got the revelation to treat my city like I was a tourist. I went to a hotel and got all the tourist info and all the ads and coupons and found all kinds of things I had never done.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

Thats a fun idea (treating your city like your on vacation).

I am kool with goin' to the carribean. I would "blend" so unless I am just running my mouth no one would know I wasnt a native.

Most of the time I am in the carribean we end up hookin' up with some local people (usually the person that drove us from the airport or ppl that work at the resort we are staying at) to get to experience the "non tourist-y" things in the area.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I have never enjoyed solo vacations. I like being with people and sharing experiences too much. I did travel solo several times- mainly business trips, but most of the time I was able to talk someone into going with me to share the experience.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I was amazed at how much there was to do that I was just not doing. We would go out of town to cities that were smaller and since we were thinking "touristy" we would have a full agenda and not even get to do half of it. It finally clicked that when tourists come here, they must have the same experience.

I feel you on blending in, but I would still caution that if you were travelling alone to a strange country you would need to be very careful. I personally would advise that if you do go overseas, that you go with someone. There are a lot of places here in the States that should be fine though.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

Thank you for your concern/advise....although we have to be honest...there are places in Texas that I am at more of a risk than I am in Ocho Rios.

I haven't decided where I am headed yet, but I am pretty sure I want to be on a beach (as stated above I grew up in Michigan so it has never been "warm" at Christmas / New Years). Leaning more toward an island somewhere mainly cuz I have always completely enjoyed myself each time I've been to one.

If I stayed in the states for my solo vacation I would probably spend it in NYC. Although that's not the same as vacationing alone. I have a bunch of friends there. But I love NYC so its running a close 2nd place.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

just come on to Brazil!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

That's actually not a bad idea...

I have a friend that goes to South America a lot....but I am sure he goes to the cities and not where you are. From reading about you, you're kinda in the jungle right?

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

for quite awhile now i've wanted to take a few days off by myself and go someplace and just chill. someplace relatively close to me though, not far away what with the whole price of airfare and carbon footprint thingies. prob lake tahoe or big sur or some place like those. just read, watch clouds float by, sleep in...a general disengage from the rat race time. i'm very much introverted so i like solitude.

regarding vacations, I heard someone once say that when planning a vacation to try to plan a vacation according to a pace opposite of what you normally live. So, if you're constantly busy, busy, busy then plan a veg vacation like what i outlined above. If your life is pretty laid back then plan a a more high energy, frenetic vacation like Disneyworld or sky diving in the Grand Canyon or something like that.

I think some of it has to do with your temperament and personality too. Extroverted people can't stand to be alone. Introverts love it. Thus they gravitate toward different activities to 're-charge' their emotional batteries.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I have never done it but I was thinking about it for Christmas...I think a visit to Clearwater Beach will help me get things into perspective. That is ever my "Happy Place".

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

Yes, that is certainly true. There are places that even I have to keep my head on a swivel.

There are a lot of places on the Florida Gulf Coast that are really nice and affordable vacation spots. This time of year the prices are unbelievable and the beaches, hotels, and restaurants are not so overcrowded. There are miles and miles of beaches both inhabited and deserted.

Cruises are always fun to me too.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I've been on several cruises and I dont think that would be fun for me alone (based on my personality type and the activities that are usually offered)

I own a time share so I am looking to use my "time" this year, and even though I can trade it for certain cruises...I dont think I wanna.

Florida....what's the weather like in December? I picture it being sunny but the water being cold. Thats a no go since I wanna be a fish when I get to heaven!!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

Hmmmm....I have always considered myself quite the introvert....yet I dont like doing things alone. I have (most) always found that my "extroverted" friends are the ones that do EVERYTHING alone. No problem meeting new people so it doesn't matter where they are, they aren't alone for long. Me on the other hand, if I dont know anyone when I get somewhere, I probably still dont know anyone when I leave.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

No, the water is usually fine this time of year. There would be beach front hotel rooms on Panama City Beach for example, that would cost almost $300 during the height of Spring Break that you could get for $60 if you went during the right time of year. There are so many hotels there in order to accommodate the huge rushes, that during the off seasons they are just basically filling rooms and covering bills.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

:heeheehee:heeheeheeOk, kool. Although my parents vacation alot in Fl to run from the MI cold now that we are all grown....wouldnt that be funny...run into my parents on the beach. :heeheehee

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

It's a small world. You never know. The main thing is that the insiders know when and where to go to get the most bang for your buck. I used to run into people who had been going every year for 20 or 30 years.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

For 53 years I had no desire to take a vacation by myself but after my wife passed away I loaded up the motor home and took off for Southern Ca. Not exactly alone I took Toby with me. (my Poodle). It was very lonely and sad. Toby and I loaded up again a couple months later and headed for the Palm Springs area for a week of RV ralley with the California Coaches for Christ. Still very lonely but not as bad. Now since I am married again I don't intend to take any more solo vacations.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I went on a vacation to the Milwaukee Brewers Basaball fantasy camp in Jan 2004, 2005 and 2006.

If I had the money I would go every year.

It helped me get away from everything in my real life.

Best thing I ever did....

If I were to take vacation by myself now.

Pick your sport of choice and go and visit the hall of fame.

So you can take the time to read each plaque and not have to rush through each player showcase.

Just my thoughts....

Mercy...I do not know if you are male or female.

If you are female you might not like my idea....

Historical places are always a good place to go alone.

Try the Smithsonian institute.

There is something for everyone...

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I went to New York City by myself for a few days a couple years ago. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I haven't gone solo recently but I've done it in the past. There wasn't time or money to go far, but just getting out of "Dodge" sometimes helps. I drove about 50 miles away and got a motel room and just chilled.
No actual plans....just a time to rest, read, relax .

If you stay home there are things you have to do>> dishes,laundry,cleaning,yardwork----something will call your name
Which is why I enjoy the get away weekend where you can truly rest and recharge.

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I took a solo vacation in 2007 to Des Moines and Omaha!

It was a very interesting trip for me as I've had this fantasy about Des Moines and Omaha since I was in HS and Drake and Creighton Universities sent college catalogs to me.

However, neither one of those schools accepted me. I joined the USMC instead and spent many a night wondering what it would be like in one of those cities.

I was glad I went. I wasn't impressed with Drake but Creighton was very nice. However, Omaha is not my idea of a nice place. I toured the Capitol building in Des Moines and was treated like a celebrity. These kids kept coming up to me asking them to sign my autograph and to take pictures with them!

I am not making this up. It felt good to be famous for a day!

Re: Have You Ever Taken A Solo Vacation?
 

I have flown solo to a family reunion a couple of times.